"That's normal," he says. "It's a big step."
"It is." I turn back to the door.
"You're not thinking of walkin' down that aisle alone, are ya?"
My jaw grinds involuntarily. "Yes, I am." Go away.
"Would you allow me the honor, then?" He extends his arm to me with a smile, and I give him a look like he's gone mad.
"Oh…um…I can't let you do that. I don't even know you."
He winks at me. "Asher Valentine, your future brother-in-law."
Holy shit. His brother. My husband’s brother. "Oh! I'm so sorry. Nice to meet you. I'm Asia. Asia Jenson."
He holds his arm out to me again, and I nervously hook mine through it, causing him to smile.
"I can't let my little brother's future wife walk to him alone, now can I?"
Why can't I have a father to do this with me? Or a sweet older brother like this guy?
Tears well up in my eyes while I think of my parents, who were never parents at all, and a brother who used me.
Asher leans close to me and whispers in my ear. "No worries, Asia. You're getting the family you always wanted."
Before I can reply, the music starts, the doors open, and we drift down the aisle like we're in a dream. I feel as if I'm outside my body, watching myself, disconnected. Everyone turns to watch us come down the aisle. On the left, my side, are a few couples I don't recognize sitting with Kat's boyfriend and the team. But my side isn't empty like I thought it would be. Like it should be.
And the right side, his side, is packed with smiling faces.
It takes me a minute to realize what's so odd about what I'm seeing around me.
Most of the male guests have really long hair. And piercings. And tattoos.
Holy shit, did I walk into a rock concert? What the heck is going on?
As we approach the altar, my eyes land on Kat first, who gives me an overly excited thumbs-up, which seems really inappropriate to me at a time like this. I mean, this is a wedding. I think?